Understanding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Types, Risks & Global Efforts to End It
Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves removing or injuring external female genitalia for non‑medical reasons. It has no health benefits and causes significant harm—physically, emotionally and socially.
What Is FGM?
- FGM includes any non‑therapeutic alteration or removal of female external genitalia—often called cutting or circumcision.
- It’s typically performed on girls from infancy up to age 15 :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- There are four WHO categories: clitoridectomy, excision, infibulation, and other harmful procedures :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Why It Happens
- Commonly driven by social norms—beliefs about purity, chastity, beauty, and gender identity.
- Often seen as a rite of passage or requirement for marriage in some communities :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- No major religion officially mandates FGM—yet over half of women in some practising nations believe it's religiously required :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
How Widespread Is It?
- More than **230 million** women and girls have undergone FGM across 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
- Around **4 million** girls remain at risk each year :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
- Prevalence varies—Somalia 98%, Guinea 97%, Djibouti 93%, Mali and Sierra Leone ~90% :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Types and Medical Impact
- Type I (clitoridectomy): removal of part or all of the clitoris.
- Type II (excision): removal of clitoris and labia minora.
- Type III (infibulation): narrowing vaginal opening with sewn labia—most severe :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
- Type IV: includes pricking, scraping, cauterisation—any harmful non‑medical genital modification :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
Immediate Health Risks
- Severe pain, bleeding, infection, urinary retention, tetanus. In some cases, fatal haemorrhage :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
- Hoode: tragic cases in Somalia—two sisters bled to death after FGM in 2018 :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
Long-Term Consequences
- Chronic pelvic and menstrual pain, recurrent infections, cysts, infertility :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
- Childbirth is riskier—higher rates of C‑section, episiotomy, prolonged labour, postpartum bleeding :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
- Sexual dysfunction, painful intercourse (dyspareunia), psychological trauma including PTSD :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
Legal & Human Rights Framework
- FGM is recognised as a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
- UN and African charters condemn it; outlawed in 84 countries—but enforcement varies greatly :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
- Some migration countries (e.g., USA) prosecute under child abuse and federal law, though earlier rulings cited jurisdiction issues :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
Global Trends & Challenges
- Despite population growth, the percentage of women undergoing FGM is slowly declining in some nations—but absolute numbers are rising :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
- Medicalisation is rising in places like Egypt and Sudan—performed by health professionals, which legitimises the practice :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
- Countries embracing alternative rites—Kenya uses education-based ARP instead of cutting :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
- Gambia reaffirmed its ban in 2024 after controversy :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
A Conversation That Matters
- Local voices are powerful: survivors and activists are using art, poetry, and social media to raise awareness :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
- Jaha Dukureh, a Gambian activist and Nobel nominee, founded Safe Hands for Girls, advocating globally :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
- Kenyan teens created “i‑Cut” app for instant safety support—a finalist for the Sakharov Prize :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.
FAQs
Q: Does FGM offer any health benefits?
No—it has no medical benefit and only leads to harm physically and psychologically :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.
Q: Is FGM done in many religions?
FGM isn't mandated by any major religion, though some communities believe it is required for religious purity :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.
Q: Can health professionals be prosecuted?
Yes—in contexts with medicalisation, there is growing legal and professional pressure against practitioners :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}.
Q: How can I help end FGM?
Support community-led activism, education, survivor advocacy groups, and global bans with proper enforcement. Amplify voices of survivors.
Q: Is it declining?
While prevalence has fallen in some countries like Sierra Leone and Ethiopia, global numbers are rising unless action accelerates :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}.
Internal Resources You Might Like
Also Worth Reading
Final Message
FGM is a harmful cultural practice rooted in gender inequality and misconceptions. It causes lifelong harm—and has no benefits. Ending it requires systemic legal action, community leadership and survivor voices. Together, we can support girls, protect their rights, and create a healthier future.